Coalition chairwoman Maisie B. Tenorio said the coalition was established about three years ago but it was only last year when they started to be “visible” in the community.
“We don’t deal with the problems of the victims who come to us, but our purpose of being here is to help facilitate and refer the victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence to the appropriate service providers and agencies,” Tenorio said.
She said for years, a lot of victims kept quiet and suffered abuses in silence.
“What we are aiming for is to change the community’s perception and way of thinking about sexual abuse and domestic violence. We want victims to know that it is normal to come out and seek help, and they can come to us for assistance,” she added.
To get help for victims of family violence, call 911 for assistance, or the Victim Hotline numbers 234-5400 on Saipan, 433-0361 on Tinian and 532-0444 on Rota. Victims can also call Karidat at 234-5248/7982, the Division of Youth Services at 664-2550, Victim Advocates at 664-2355, or Victim Project Help at 234-8950 ext. 2126.
